Abstract: Thickened aqueous compositions comprising soluble peracids, particularly peracetic acid, are provided. The compositions are thickened by the use of one or more aliphatic alcohol ethoxylates having the general formula: R.sup.1 R.sup.2 CH-- (OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2).sub.n --OH in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each either hydrogen or linear or branched alkyl such that R.sup.1 plus R.sup.2 has a total of from 7 to 22 carbon atoms, and n is selected in the range of 1 to 15, such that the number ratio of carbon atoms in R.sup.1 plus R.sup.2 :n is greater than or equal to 3:1; a co-surfactant selected from the group consisting of anionic surfactants, amine oxides, amphoteric surfactants and quaternary ammonium compounds; and one or more aliphatic alcohol ethoxylates in which the ratio of the number of carbon atoms in the alcohol moiety to the average number of ethoxylate groups is less than 3:1, and/or alkylphenol ethoxylates.

Abstract: Thickened aqueous compositions comprising soluble peracids, particularly peracetic acid are provided. The compositions are thickened by the use of one or more aliphatic alcohol ethoxylates having the general formula: R.sup.1 R.sup.2 CH--(OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2).sub.n --OH in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each either hydrogen or linear or branched alkyl such that R.sup.1 plus R.sup.2 has a total of from 7 to 22 carbon atoms, and n is selected in the range of 1 to 15, such that the number ratio of carbon atoms in R.sup.1 plus R.sup.2 :n is greater than or equal to 3:1; and a co-surfactant selected from the group consisting of anionic surfactants, amine oxides, amphoteric surfactants and quaternary ammonium compounds.

Abstract: Many aqueous compositions containing a peroxygen compound have a very low viscosity and thus easily run off non-horizontal surfaces. Particularly, when the peroxygen compound is a soluble peracid, the compositions are difficult to thicken successfully, because many commonly available thickening systems for aqueous media either fail to thicken them or are decomposed and/or decompose the peroxygen compound substantially during storage. The compositions, preferably containing a soluble peracid, are thickened with an alkali metal silicate, preferably sodium silicate, such as Na.sub.2 O(SiO.sub.2).sub.2 used suitably in an amount of from about 2 to 6% of the composition and normally introduced in the form of a concentrated aqueous composition. The compositions may contain additionally an alkylammonium methosulphate. Preferred peracid solutions include dilute equilibrated peracetic acid solutions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for improving the storage stability of peracetic acid comprising adding an effective concentration of preferably 0.1-5 wt. % of an aliphatic alcohol ethoxylate wetting agent which has an EO number of greater than 4.